Tag Archives: change of life

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, April 23, 2017 -Where does the weekend go? It seems these days if you sneeze, the weekend is gone. Some days it doesn’t seem like The Weeknd is enough time to rest for sure. Miles Moved: 1.33

Monday, April 24, 2017 – It seems these days, Monday is my favorite day of the week. Why? Because coming off of the weekend, I really crave a great walk. It just seems to start my week in the right direction. Miles Moved: 2.57

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 – Today marks three weeks since my car accident. For the most part, I feel almost normal. But there are times like today that I can move a certain way and the pain is so intense in my neck and sternum. The doctor said it was going to take 4-8 weeks and days like today feel like it will never go away. Miles Moved: 2.47

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 – Today I wasn’t able to exercise my normal way. Today was finally the day to get my car to the repair shop to fix it from the accident. The accident really didn’t do much damage to my Jeep but the bumper and passenger tail light had to be repaired. It’s nice to have these things finally fixed. So many obstacles I’ve had to jump through from this accident when I was minding my own business. I keep reminding myself that it could have been so much worse than what it was. I’m very thankful that it was minor and hopefully soon will be far behind me. Miles Moved: 2.43

Thursday, April 27, 2017 – I really needed my walk today to help out with stress. Do you know how you turn your back to a wave in the ocean and the waves will take you down? That’s how I feel at times at work when I take a day off. 🤣 Thank goodness I can walk some of that stress off and then come back to work ready to hit the work some more. Miles Moved: 3.16

Friday, April 28, 2017 – I have so much work to get done today, I didn’t walk. Plus I feel like I’m coming down with something. The hub unit has something earlier this week and I do believe he shared it with me. Bless his little heart. Miles Moved: 1.43

Saturday, April 29, 2017 – I don’t have to pull many weekends but today I decided to work to attempt to get caught up to the point that I don’t feel so stressed. I think I succeeded. After work, I took Jim to get pizza – maybe not the best choice for this way of eating but it was delicious. And the pizza joint had a singer. Great entertainment for sure tonight. I think we both needed a little fun. Miles Moved: 1.47

Thoughts for the week: Life is not a race. Life has its ups and downs – mountains and valleys as I like to refer them. Just because I have a down day, it doesn’t mean that I’ve failed at this way of eating. I’ve come a long way in retraining myself in not beating myself up – which is hard. The old me would think I’ve messed up so I’ll start again Monday. These days, I might have not eaten as clean as I liked so I rethink the rest of my meals that day. That’s the entire point – never give up. Keep on swimming or walking in my case 😀

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, April 16, 2017 – It’s been a tough past couple of weeks my friends. I’ll be honest in saying that I’ve been totally overwhelmed with getting my car straightened out and getting my body back to where it was before this awful ordeal. I have an appointment next Wednesday to get the car looked at one more time to see if they can finally get it fixed. And hopefully my body is at the point now that it will let me walk without feeling constant pain. Miles Moved: 0.44

Monday, April 17, 2017 – I’m starting it off slow but today was the first time I have walked for exercise in 12 days – it felt like a lifetime! I took it really slow and could feel towards the end of my 30 minutes that it was beginning to be a bit too much. I can honestly say that I’ve missed walking. I just feel so much better moving. Miles Moved: 2.53

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 – What makes it worth walking? Getting high five’s from perfect strangers who have been watching you walk for months now – LOL. I was walking today and the offices across from us had a couple of guys outside. They came up to me and said they had been missing me and was glad to see I was back. Then they all gave me high fives. Now, they didn’t slow me down one bit. They walked and talked with me! How fabulous was that? Miles Moved: 2.46

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 – The weather was perfect today – 70 degrees. Awesome – felt like walking near the beach since the rains are still in our area. What makes great upbeat walking? Upbeat music. I have 16 songs on my iPhone titled ‘workout’. When I walk, I hit the shuffle button that way every day is different. Out of the 16 songs, there are only TWO slow songs. When they come on, I can take my walk down a notch. But when the upbeat songs are playing, I’m hauling it on my path that I’ve created around my office building. Miles Moved: 2.29

Thursday, April 20, 2017 – It’s getting hot here in the south this week. By the time I get done walking, I’m a puddle. Definitely I will have to start bringing my gym bag to work next week. Miles Moved: 2.48

Friday, April 21, 2017 – Did extra time today on my walk. I’m definitely feeling so much better. I would probably say close to 100%. YAY! Thanks ya’ll so much for your kind thoughts during this awful time ❤ Miles Moved: 2.59

Saturday, April 22, 2017 – Today is Earth Day. I must get outside and enjoy Mother Nature today. And for working out today, I earned a cool badge on my exercise app on my i-watch/i-phone. Cool beans. It’s the little things that make me happy 🙂 Miles Moved: 2.54

Thoughts for the week: After the two weeks I’ve had with trying to recuperate, I needed some motivation. So I did some picture comparisons. I think that’s good – especially for times like now where you need to see where you are coming from. It’s not a race to see who gets there the fastest. It’s about getting more fit for life. That took me so long to figure out. I took it easy for the two weeks after the accident. I was beat up – purple, blue, swollen and bruised. For those two weeks, it seemed like my aches ached. I ache every day because of my RA so it’s nothing new for me to hurt. But those two weeks, I literally felt like I had been hit by a car… well I was hit by a car – LOL. Finally getting back to walking, it was like coming home this week. Slowly my body is adjusting. There is still some tightness in my sternum area but the swelling is finally going down. I can breathe now without feeling like an elephant is doing a tap down on my chest. So the bottom line – I’m back my friends. I wanted to share this picture with you. I still have a LONG ways to go but hey I’m here for the rest of my life ❤ Thanks for listening and your support sweet friends. HUGS TO YOU ALL!

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, April 9, 2017 – Okay the pain is not good. There seems to be something more wrong that what it should be. I made an appointment with my regular doctor for tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I can get some answers. I hope. Miles Moved: 0.47

Monday, April 10, 2017 – Missed a couple of hours of work this afternoon and went back to the doctor. After many, MANY X-rays, poking and prodding, we are waiting for some results to come back. In the meantime, the doctor has changed some of the medicines originally prescribed to me. And with the whiplash, I have a wonderful new accessory in a neck brace. I feel like that is my cone of shame – poor dogs. I really feel for them now when they have to wear a neck cone. And no walking this week. The doctor also wants to get me into physical therapy when some swelling comes down in my chest. Miles Moved: 1.32

Tuesday, April 11, 2017 – Okay, note to self. Do not take a full pill of the new medicine when going to work. It threw me for a loop! I actually had to lay down during my lunch break I was so dizzy and sleepy. Felt much better afterwards. The pain is still intense and the swelling is harsh on my chest. I can breathe and feel the pain. The neck brace does help. By mid-afternoon, it is so hard to keep my head held up. With the neck brace, it helps. I’m trying to be nice to myself during this time and recuperate. I feel kind of useless though. I can’t lift anything or do too much right now. Miles Moved: 0.96

Wednesday, April 12, 2017 – The doctor called me today and asked me to go for additional x-rays. NOTE to pain – you can go away any day now and you won’t be missed. I’m just saying 😦 Miles Moved: 1.16

Thursday, April 13, 2017 – Finally got some answers from the gazillion x-rays that have been taken. It’s going to take 6-8 weeks to heal. I have to take it easy but can finally start walking again Monday – slowly though. I can’t believe how much I have missed my walking. Maybe I am changing to the other side – LOL. Miles Moved: 0.87

Friday, April 14, 2017 – Finally the pain is starting to go down. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still there but I’m almost feeling human. Definitely I’ll try walking Monday. Miles Moved: 1.36

Saturday, April 15, 2017 – Crappers. I think there is more unseeing damage to the back of my Jeep. My back passenger tail light is not working nor the break light on that side. I’ll be calling the insurance company Monday. Joybells. Miles Moved: 1.06

Thoughts for the week: There are obstacles in life. I have experienced a mountain of one in the past two weeks. With the pain, meds and not being able to hardly move, I gained some weight back. I could be harsh on myself and give up. But you know what? I’m not a quitter. This is life and life happens. So what am I going to do? As my awesome mother-in-law would say, “Pull yourself up by your boot straps sweetie and hold on – it’s going to be a bumpy ride”! So by the time you read this on Monday, April 17, 2017 – I will be back STRONG! Thank you my friends for the emails and phone calls – they have really meant the world to me ❤

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, April 2, 2017 – I have to give a shout out today to my sister Tina. She ran the 2017 Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago today. What an awesome feat in itself! This is a picture of her at the end of the race. How appropriate for a beer after a Shamrock Shuffle, huh? She has already signed up for another race in July. Now give me a walking race – I might just try one! Congrats my sister!! ❤ Miles Moved: 1.45 miles

Monday, April 3, 2017 – I knew it was bound to happen. It’s raining outside this morning and we are in for storms all day. I’m going to have to walk Lucifer when I get home from work unless it stops for a bit outside. I hate changing my schedule up. I like doing the walking for lunch and not messing my evenings up. But we shall see how it goes. Miles Moved: 2.41

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – Yay! I was able to walk yesterday as well as today in between the storms. Thank goodness for that. There’s just something so fulfilling to walk outside and actually see things. I love my treadmill but lately I can’t get enough of outside. Miles Moved: 2.95

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 – My friends, I’m down for the week. Last night I was involved in a car accident on the way home. I was stopped at a red light, when it turned green I took my foot off of the brake. Right about then, someone flew into the back of me. There wasn’t much damage to my Jeep – thank goodness. The car that hit me had a lot of front end damage. I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with whiplash. I’m on medicines and I’m home from work today. I was told to take it easy the rest of the week to give myself some time to heal. So, I’m not going to be walking the rest of the week. But never fear – next week I will be back! Miles Moved: 0.65

Thursday, April 6, 2017 – I hate not walking. I’m still having a lot of pain and now it seems it’s going down my back. Miles Moved: 1.02

Friday, April 7, 2017 – I never thought I would say it but I miss my walking. Miles Moved: 1.55

Saturday, April 8, 2017 – Okay something has to give soon. Tried going to the market but could not finish it. The pain gets so intense my body starts shaking. Then I take meds which make me nauseous and sleepy. I’m going back to the doctor Monday afternoon. I just don’t feel right. Miles Moved: 0.53

Thoughts for the week: never take life for granted. I’m really feeling low right now. 😫

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, March 26, 2017 – I still say they need to incorporate cleaning house/washing clothes with this activity on the i-Watch. LOL – I’m sure I get the ‘move’ points but still cleaning is exercise! Reaching up, under the beds, cleaning out potty trays, bending up/down for laundry and making beds. Oh my goodness – making a king sized bed should be in the Olympics. I tried to get everything done so I could get some ‘me’ time this evening. Me time is important to all of us. A happy mommy is a happy home. Miles Moved: 1.92

Monday, March 27, 2017 – With all of the cleaning I did yesterday, I’m a little sore. And I think my hip is trying to have a flare up. I really don’t have time for this pain. Some peeps have asked me if walking has helped my rheumatoid arthritis. With RA, it’s not a matter of are you in pain. It’s more like how bad is the pain today. The walking has helped some/hurt some. I try not to push myself too much but at times I know when I have. I have several different walking routes I’ve created for myself at work. Slow, Medium and Burn. I take whichever one my body feels that day. Miles Moved: 3.31

Tuesday, March 28, 2017 – Today’s walk was awesome. It was overcast outside (we had bad rains last night), the humidity wasn’t that bad and there was a slight wind like you would have at the beach. It was awesome. Unlike yesterday where it was just hot. I do hope my workout clothes come today in the mail. I really need to start changing for my walks. I’m sweating too much…. then again maybe that’s not sweat. Maybe that’s just my fat crying and saying goodbye? 🙂 Miles Moved: 2.37

Wednesday, March 29, 2017 – I can not find the stamina this week. I’m like dragging my butt every day to get up and go. I don’t think I’m coming down with anything. I think I’m looking forward to summer knowing that after summer September will be here – and I can’t wait for that adventure. But I walked today. Today is hill day. Shaking my head. I do hate those hills but my butt/legs love them. So hill day. In the end, I did hills SEVEN times in a thirty minute walk. I hurt but it’s a good hurt and not a hurt from RA. I can tell the difference by now – LOL. Miles Moved: 2.30

Thursday, March 30, 2017 – I did double time today. Me and the hub unit had a special dinner planned tonight. Knowing I’m going to indulge a bit, I worked twice as hard on my walk. I guess that’s the thinking of a person who is changing their mindset huh? I’ve turned into one of those peeps – hilarious. Miles Moved: 2.73

Friday, March 31, 2017 – I can *not* begin to tell you how much I did not want to walk today. The pollen count here in these parts is over 3,500 – we were all lined up this morning at the Hotel Thompson to take our allergy meds. Although I didn’t want to, I did my walk. And I’m glad. Some peeps stopped me that are on my route and asked me how much weight I’ve lost – they could tell. They encourage me to keep it up. They were so very nice. See, if I didn’t walk, I wouldn’t have gotten that compliment. Thank you Karma Gods. Miles Moved: 3.09

Saturday, April 1, 2017 – Errands and work today. How much fun can you have? Miles Moved: 1.62

Thoughts for the week: Goals. In talking with my sister, she shoots to move 12 miles a week. I was over achieving and trying to do 15. That 3 miles doesn’t seem like a big difference but it is. Therefore, I’m re-evaluating and going with a goal of 12 miles a week. Remember, this is something that we have to learn to do for the rest of our lives. I can live with that. Goals should be something that we can achieve but not so easy that we can snap our fingers and they are done. 12 miles a week is good. Just think – that could be 624.0 miles for the year. Not that my inner math geek is coming out or anything. Shaking head. Nope. It sure isn’t. Giggles.

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

Sunday, March 19, 2017 – Today was suppose to be a rest day and in all aspects is was… except for the market shopping, running errands, doing laundry and cleaning the house – LOL. Funny how those things sneak up on you during the week. But moving does add up in the end. Miles Moved: 1.76

Monday, March 20, 2017 – My sister said it would happen. I would start ‘missing’ my walks. She was right. By the time the weekend is over, I’m ready for a walk by myself. Something about walking by myself gives me time to think about my life and I can somewhat meditate. It really does help me to relax so I can finish out my day. Today I ordered me some Lee’s Dream jeans off of their website. They have reviews that they are the next best thing beside sliced bread. I finally need to get some new pants. My current jeans look like a family has moved out in the butt and legs – hasta la vista family don’t come back – giggles. I also ordered some ‘workout’ clothes. Summer will be here soon enough with the heat. I will need to change clothes before I walk and then change back. I foresee it already. And the good news is that I ordered two sizes smaller than I normally wear on everything. Now I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything fits when it comes in. Miles Moved: 2.61

Tuesday, March 21, 2017 – Today was hill day with my walk. Lord have mercy. I *hate* hills but my butt and legs love them. Go figure huh? And I’m going to tell you something that has never EVER happened before. Are you ready because this is good. Takes a deep breath – here it goes. My boobies are disappearing. Oh.my.goodness. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about that. They had separate zip codes and I think now they are starting to live in the same city. I’m beyond excited! Miles Moved: 2.47

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 – Okay my Lee yoga jeans came in. Do I like them? Do they fit? YES BY GOLLY ON BOTH ACCOUNTS! I absolutely ❤ them and they fit but before long they might not. It’s times like this that you look back and finally feel like this new way of eating is paying off. These have got to be the most comfortable pair of jeans I’ve ever worn. I will probably start wearing them next week. I might even show up to work all decked out in clothes that actually fit wearing heels. HA – That should be interesting to see if anyone else notices my hard work lately. Now I’m waiting for my ‘workout’ clothes to come. Miles Moved: 2.49

Thursday, March 23, 2017 – Today was windy outside again. It was 57 degrees so it wasn’t awfully cold but with the wind it had a little shiver to it… that is until you start walking and getting hot. So with that, it was perfect walking weather – LOL. I’m tired today and I didn’t want to do the walk at all. Most would be good to themselves and do a short walk. Nah – I forced myself to do the longer walk. Afterwards I felt so much better. However, I am looking forward to the weekend for a break. Miles Moved:2.06

Friday, March 24, 2017 – I am so glad that today is Friday – I so need this weekend and a break for my ‘ordinary’ schedule. I just have to get through exercise today and today has hills in it – yay! LOL. And I need to do double time since we went out with friends last night. I may have eating more than I should… such as life huh? Miles Moved: 2.37

Saturday, March 25, 2017 – Fun day today – YES! I’ve needed this for so long. Me and the hub unit went to the spa together – massages/nails. I feel somewhat human again. Miles Moved: 1.49

Thoughts for the week: It’s so hard to keep doing something when you ‘think’ that it is not working. I’ve been walking since the first of January. I started out slow. I don’t think I did more than 15 minutes at a time then. Then in February, I jumped in wholeheartedly with 30 minutes. I kept waiting – not so patiently some times – for something to show and to make a difference. It took 84 days for me to *finally* see proof. I mean heck I felt my body changing but we want to see proof too. You know what I mean? I’ve always been told, “Find something you can live with and stick to it.” It has taken me years to find something and I think I have. I really can say that I can live this way the rest of my life. Thanks my friends for listening to me this week. How was YOUR week?

Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.

Together we can do this!

March 12, 2017 – I think the i-Watch needs to have housecleaning put in for one of the exercises you can perform. Really I do. The past couple of Sunday’s me and the hub unit have spent cleaning and moving things around here at the Hotel Thompson. There’s no telling how many calories you are burning off while washing/drying/folding clothes, sweeping/mopping the floors throughout the home, cleaning the tub/toilet in the bathroom and taking trash out. Are you with me on this? LOL Miles Moved: 1.10

March 13, 2017 – Back to the hills today – how much fun can one girl have? Today’s routine was this: walk the entire parking lot, then do the cardiac hill up and down twice and then repeat with a total of four times around the parking lot in 30 minutes. And let me add it was 40 degrees with wind outside today. I bundled up, zipped up my hoodie and hit the ground walking. Another day down for sure – what a way to start a Monday! Miles Moved: 2.60

March 14, 2017 – It’s cold outside. Okay I said it. I’m not ashamed of that. I live in the south for heavens sake. It’s not suppose to be this cold like ever really. It was in the 30’s today and the wind was something wicked. I emailed my sister that lives in Chicago. She let me know really quick what cold weather really is and then sent me this weather warning… of course after telling me to bundle up before walking. And I did walk. In the cold. Bundled up like a snowman. Spring where are you? Miles Moved: 2.22

March 15, 2017 – Again with this crappy weather. Our winter has been pretty mild so why Mother Nature are you being a witch this week? Don’t you know I have walking to do – goals to meet? I did 25 minutes outside until my face was frozen. I did the last 5 minutes inside walking around the office making my own paths around desks and other obstacles. But in the end, I got my 30 minutes in. Please make the weather better tomorrow. Miles Moved: 2.08

March 16, 2017 – Went to a friend’s restaurant last night with the hub unit. Let’s just say I ate a little too much of the good stuff. But never fear. The voice of my sister pushing me along was with me today encouraging me to do double time on the hills. Heck, I walked so hard today – full 30 minutes outside in the cold 40’s weather – that my i-Watch gave me a medal. See that and eating a decent dinner tonight – a delectable salad – who could ask for more? Miles Moved: 3.54

March 17, 2017 – Oh my goodness! I have the worst migraine today. Needless to say I didn’t move much. I don’t get these often but when I do – WOWZER! It’s going to be a low key day today. Miles Moved: 1.11

March 18, 2017 – I feel so much better today! Yesterday was so dark and today I’m back baby! Gotta make up for a day missed from yesterday so today it will be errand day. Miles Moved: 1.90

Thoughts for the week: Let’s talk about encouragement this week. Friends, you do not know how much help you are in encouraging me each and every week. It’s like my little club encouraging me to walk five days a week. Thank you very much for your support, encouragement and ideas ❤

And my sister Tina. She bought me my i-Watch for Christmas so I could get healthier. I can’t thank you enough Tina. Between that I-watch knowing you are always looking at my activity rings and you being in my head guiding me what to eat and do, I don’t know how I could do this. You are totally awesome and rock! Smooches to a better *US*.

This week walked: 14.55

TOTAL 2017 Miles: 143.36

Weight Loss: -12.00 pounds (88 more to go!) *Scales aren’t moving lately. I’m fixing to shoot them. However, I can feel the changes in my body – which is better than the scales moving, right?